Newbie introduction - Looking to buy my 1st Elan

[Danny R]

Hello All.

After years of wanting a M100 Elan, decided to take the plunge and get one before they're out of reach.

I've looked at two cars so far and am not having a very good experience. Have put some serious miles in to look at them and tried to meet some pretty unreasonable demands only to have been blatantly lied to and completely have my time wasted, on two accounts.

I've been looking on the 'For Sale' section of these forums too.

I've just been looking at eBay and I've just come across a Bristol based car and a little bit of Google searching has highlighted a seller shill bidding his own Elan.

So, not having a good experience so far, but will keep on looking.

Dan.

[rip]

Hi Dan,

Could you be a bit more detailed regarding what you are looking for?
Condition? Colour preference? Budget? Do you want an unmodified Elan or one which has been modified?
Many of us bought unmodified Elans then later learned that we fitted mods common to many others & could have spent less buying one 'already done'.

I would usually suggest that the annual Donington festival would be a good place to meet other owners & maybe view cars which were for sale...but Club Lotus did not organise a Donington festival this year

[epipete]

I would usually suggest that the annual Donington festival would be a good place to meet other owners & maybe view cars which were for sale...but Club Lotus did not organise a Donington festival this year

But there is a Yorkshire/Lancashire meet being discussed/planned, I'm sure you could 'crash', they would be able to address your concerns.

There is also a 'buyers guide' in the wiki which is useful.

[JohnB]

But there is a Yorkshire/Lancashire meet being discussed/planned, I'm sure you could 'crash', they would be able to address your concerns.

There is also a 'buyers guide' in the wiki which is useful.

Hi Dan.
Welcome to LEC. It's a fantastic club and is a great resource for Elan advice and info. The Yorkshire/Lancashire meet is a good idea and also if you're interested in meeting other Lotus owners, there is Nyloc (North Yorkshire Lotus Owners Club) that meets the fourth Tuesday each month on the A64 at the Buckles Inn. I'm sure you'd be made very welcome at both.

[Rob P]

Hi Danny and welcome to LEC, great choice to look at the M100 and once you have one you will know it was a good choice
Is there a specific type you are looking for, SE or S2, specific colour, standard or modified there are many variations out there. plus are you on a set budget

Have you considered the Purple one advertised on here, looks a decent motor.

[Danny R]

Thanks for the welcome folks.

Hi Dan,

Could you be a bit more detailed regarding what you are looking for?
Condition? Colour preference? Budget? Do you want an unmodified Elan or one which has been modified?
Many of us bought unmodified Elans then later learned that we fitted mods common to many others & could have spent less buying one 'already done'.

I would usually suggest that the annual Donington festival would be a good place to meet other owners & maybe view cars which were for sale...but Club Lotus did not organise a Donington festival this year

Erm, I'm not after mint or concours condition. I would like a good one but don't mind a little work if the price is right. I've no real colour preferences either - I've looked at a white and red one so far, bit concerned about colour fade on reds though.
I'd like a standard unmodified car if possible if not for insurance purposes but some mods you see can be pointless. Not averse to brake improvements or anything that's actually beneficial.
Budget. Hmmm. I'm not loaded but could find upto £4K for the right car, but would prefer to spend less - if that means buying a car I can add value to, fine. But, I don't want a project. I've been hoping to spend around £3k, but that may be ambitious - I dunno, you guys tell me?

It's a good idea to possibly crash some 'meets' or groups as you've suggested and have kinda come to the conclusion, same as you guys, to buy something known to the club or forums. The Yorkshire based meets are certainly an idea. I like the idea of gate-crashing a NYLOC meet.

In answer to Rob P, I was thinking of an SE - I'd prefer a turbo. Not necessarily fussed for a S2 limited edition one, I'm easy on that. I've have seen the purple one (L700TUS) I think - I've spoke to the owner, but I'm a little shy of what he wants for that - shame, as the missus really likes that one.

Thanks again for the advice.
Dan.

[Jeemy]

I'd say definitely buy a turbo, that almost goes without saying. And its a pretty good idea to buy on LEC, partly because the cars up here are subject to public comment and many members know them "personally".

£2-3k WILL be a project, no matter what you think or how it looks on inspection, if you are at all fussy, you'll discover things pretty shortly after purchase.

The small increase to £4-5k would get you a good driver, for sure, if you bought via LEC.

Mods that are considered pretty desirable to give the car the performance it deserves are the mountain chip, and if you get that you really want uprated front brakes, PNM/Hispec kit is the best value, and possibly an exhaust. After that its suspension, cosmetics, and of course you must consider outrigger rust, tied to water ingress and the state of the hood, dependent if you plan to leave the car outside for more than a few moments per year.

At present I don't think you can really add value to an Elan, if you spend £1 on it you'll probably get 30p back. Hence (sorry sellers) better to look at the mods that are out there and buy something with them already there.

The flip side of this is that if you spend £1,000 putting everest chip, uprated exhaust and better brakes on, even if it only puts £3-500 on the value of the car, you will certainly get the remaining £5-700 back in sheer driving pleasure.

[inkitin]

The Yorkshire based meets are certainly an idea.

You would be very welcome and I've just posted up some possible dates on the meeting thread here.

[smudge]

Hi Danny,

mine will be up for sale very soon its just going through its MOT at the moment, it failed first time on the off side rear calliper which is now being refurbished. Once done and passed MOT is going up for sale. Mind you I'm quite away from you I'm in Dorset

smudge

[Danny R]

Hi Danny,

mine will be up for sale very soon its just going through its MOT at the moment, it failed first time on the off side rear calliper which is now being refurbished. Once done and passed MOT is going up for sale. Mind you I'm quite away from you I'm in Dorset

smudge

When cars aren't all that common, you do have to put some miles in (unless you're prepared to buy blind). I don't mind putting in some effort for the right car. My problem is so far (not on cars advertised on here), I've discovered a distinct lack of honesty. So far I've seen two projects cars, both over £4000, neither of which had an MOT.

[smudge]

Hi Danny,

I'm looking for about £3300

Smudge

[Rice crispy]

Welcome to the forumn and good luck with the search. I did about 1500 miles travelling to look at cars before I got mine but every time I drive it I realise that they were worth it
David

[Danny R]

If it's the Elan in you're profile pic Smudge, I would be interested. If you can supply some detailed photos and a bit of a description I'll PM you my e-mail address.

When do you think you'll be ready to sell?

[Danny R]

Welcome to the forumn and good luck with the search. I did about 1500 miles travelling to look at cars before I got mine but every time I drive it I realise that they were worth it
David

Thanks David. Got a bit to go yet then, I've only racked up 440 miles so far!

[Rambo]

What about this ? Or is this the white one you have already seen ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 90/2144567

NB Cat C salvage

[Danny R]

What about this ? Or is this the white one you have already seen ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 90/2144567

NB Cat C salvage

I have seen that one. It's also on eBay twice. It's been for sale for a long time. The Cat C registration is off-putting but mainly, on the eBay advertisement the photos make it look unappealing. They're taken of a wet car, which also makes cars look better than they are, but also, the inside of the car looks as wet as the outside. It might have been really well repaired for all I know but the adverts themselves make the car look unappealing. I think there maybe better out there for that kind of money.

That isn't the white one I went to look at.

[Rambo]

Looks like its just had an interior re-trim to make it look like the only M100 zebra in existence

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 90/2144567

[smudge]

Danny I'll upload some pics at the weekend,

Smudge

[smudge]

Danny,

you have a PM

[Danny R]

I'm having a right hassle trying to even get to view cars at the minute. Trying to fit in some more local offerings just to see as many as I can. It can be difficult for me to see the further afield ones without a lot of planning.

Unfortunately, a lot are on eBay and two I'd like to see were just rude and dismissive. There's one in Nottingham and one in Sheffield. The Sheffield one won't let me go look because others have messed them around, but won't answer my questions because they're not a mechanic. They said "I've got 100 watchers at minute so I'm not too fussed even if it doesn't go. Will just stay in my garage till right person comes along. "

How is the right person going to come along if they won't let them?

I'm going to see if the Nottingham one will let me have a look next.

BTW, smudge, I've PM'd you my e-mail address.